Madhya Pradesh: Married man allegedly kills live-in partner, hides body in fridge for 8 months
PTC Web Desk: In a chilling case from Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, a married man allegedly killed his live-in partner and stored her body in a refrigerator for approximately eight months. The decomposed remains of the woman were discovered on Friday in a house rented by the accused, identified as Sanjay Patidar.
The victim, Pinky Prajapati, was reportedly pressuring Patidar to marry her, which investigators believe may have led to the crime. According to the police, the murder likely took place in June 2024. Prajapati's body was found tied up with a noose around her neck and wearing a saree and jewellery.
Superintendent of Police Puneet Gehlot stated that the discovery occurred after neighbours noticed a foul odor. The landlord, Dhirendra Shrivastava, who resides in Indore, was contacted and subsequently opened a locked portion of the house where the refrigerator was located. The gruesome scene was uncovered, and the police were immediately informed.
Patidar, a resident of Ujjain, had been in a live-in relationship with the victim for five years. The police suspect he carried out the crime with the assistance of an accomplice.
Timeline of Events
June 2023: The accused rented the property from Dhirendra Shrivastava, who later reported that Patidar vacated the house after a year but left some belongings in the study room and master bedroom.
June 2024: Police believe the victim was murdered during this time.
January 2025: The landlord, responding to complaints from a current tenant, unlocked the portion of the house where Patidar's items remained. After switching off the electricity supply, a foul smell emanated from the refrigerator, leading to the discovery of the body.
According to Amit Solanki, another police official, the refrigerator had stopped working after the electricity was turned off, which likely contributed to the odor that alerted the neighbours and landlord.
The incident has drawn comparisons to the infamous Shraddha Walkar murder case in Delhi. In 2022, Aaftab Amin Poonawala was accused of killing his live-in partner, dismembering her body, and storing the remains in a refrigerator before scattering them across various locations in Delhi.
Patidar’s actions, although distinct, bear eerie similarities to the Delhi case, highlighting the dark realities of such crimes.
- With inputs from agencies
